How to get rid of rats
Rats can be a constant nuisance in any house as they hunt for food anywhere and everywhere possible. Unfortunately human dwellings are the easiest source of food around and thus the most likely hunting ground for rats. Sometimes they can really get on your nerves especially given their special ability to nibble your precious books and your favorite dress and clothes. Apart from economic loss due to nibbling, they are one of the foremost carriers of diseases into your house and thus, can be a source of illness for you and your family. Your pets are also at risk of exposure to diseases. So, it becomes imperative for you to get rid of them from your yard for your family and pets’ well-being.
Complexity Level:Easy
Time Required: 12 – 48 hours
Resources Required:
1. Rat traps
2. Bait
3. Newspaper
4. Plastic gloves
5. Sealable bag
6. Bleach
7. Trash can with secure lid
Instructions:
1. Buy any nice and sturdy live mouse trap
Make sure that it is sturdy enough to withstand all the jumping and vibrations that a mouse is likely to create once it is trapped. Normally any trap is not likely to break up; it’s the door or passage way which can open up due to restless jumping of mouse once caught. Thus, just check the lock carefully.
2.Lure the mouse with a bait
Now lure the mouse by using some nice aromatic food bits as bait. Normally the mouse would come for any fresh food item like apple tart, peanut butter etc. Make sure that the bait is attached to the hook that pulls off the lever from the passageway door and locks the mouse. If the bait is just lying in the trap, the mouse will eat the bait and leave.
3.Set up the trap and wait
Set the trap by moving the metal bar all the way back and attaching it to the metal hook which contains the bait on the lower end in the trap. Make sure that it is properly attached and will not shut up on its own. Once it is set, choose any place in the house where mice are active. That place can be a storeroom, kitchen or any other place. Place the trap and wait for the mouse to be trapped.
4.Dispose the rat away
Normally a mouse will get attracted towards the trap because of the scent of the bait, if it was fresh enough then. Once the mouse is caught, dispose it as soon as possible. Pick up the mouse trap and carry it away from your house somewhere in the open or the woods and release the mouse into the woods.
If you use normal trap then release the mouse into a sealable bag. Then lock the bag and wrap it up in newspaper; throw it into dustbin after that. Wash your hands with any anti bacterial soap or cleanser once you are back home and bleach the areas where the mouse’s blood was spilled.
Quick tips:
1. In case rats are a regular menace, you can consider adopting or buying a cat.
2. To be on the safer side, you can wear gloves when dealing with a dead mouse.
3. Make sure all entrances to your home are secure if you are planning to release the mice nearby.
Things to watch out for:
1. Contrary to popular belief, (some) mice don’t like cheese. Apple tart, bread, meat, hard caramel, and peanut butter work quite well with mice in most cases.
2. It’s better to catch the live mouse and release it, as killing the mouse creates bad odor if not disposed of soon.
3. Try not to use the rat poison as dead mice will create awful odor and invite flies and other insects. Also in case you have other pets and children, it’s always better not to use the poison.
